Manchester United Face Crystal Palace in FA Cup Final

Manchester United and Crystal Palace will be in front of each other in the FA Cup final on May 21, 2016 at Wembley Stadium. Manchester United beat Everton by 2-1 in the first semi-final at Wembley on Saturday and reached into a record-equalling 19th FA Cup final. In the second semi-final on Sunday, Crystal Palace knocked-out Watford after a hard-fought 2-1 win. The final match on 21 May will be a repeat of the 1990 final, which United won after a replay.

Marouane Fellaini put Manchester United ahead in the first-half with a goal from close range – but they were then very thankful to goalkeeper David de Gea as he superbly saved the penalty of Romelu Lukaku early in the second half. Everton revitalized following an inactive first half that saw them sneered off in the break and they levelled the score with 15 minutes left when Chris Smalling redirected Gerard Deulofeu’s shot into his own net. Then Anthony Martial’s stoppage time header on Ander Herrera’s poked pass prevented the game to go into the extra time and gave manager Louis van Gaal a much needed victory.

Yannick Bolasie gave Crystal Palace the lead in the 6th-minute at Wembley on Sunday when Damien Delaney flipped on Yohan Cabaye’s shot. Watford, who lost midfielder Etienne Capoue due to injury in the early part of game, drew level when Troy Deeney bobbed home on Jose Manuel Jurado’s corner. Then Connor Wickham confirmed Crystal Palace’s place in their first FA Cup final since 1990 on Pape Souare’s cross shot six minutes later. In 1990 final, manager Alan Pardew was a part of Crystal Palace team when they also faced Manchester United and they lost to the Red Devils by 1-0 in the replay after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the original tie.